Sybel
Sybel is a Paris-based subscription audio platform offering unlimited access to 700+ podcasts, audiobooks, and original audio series in three languages, serving families and adult consumers via mobile, web, Alexa, and Freebox TV.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Sybel does
Sybel, operated by the French société anonyme Audio Investissement and headquartered in Paris, is a subscription-based audio content platform offering unlimited access to more than 700 audio series and 15,000 episodes spanning podcasts, audio stories, audiobooks, and original audio fiction in French, English, and Spanish. The platform combines original productions (e.g., The Blondes, Dominos, GAIA 2222, Passion Commune, La Tablette Magique) with licensed content including Disney titles (Le Roi Lion, Le Livre de la Jungle, Gravity Falls, Monstres Academy) and adapted works such as Joël Dicker's La Disparition de Stéphanie Mailer. A dedicated Sybel Kids sub-brand delivers age-appropriate children's content with parental controls.
The technology stack is a multi-device streaming platform with native iOS and Android applications, a web app at app.sybel.co, Amazon Alexa voice integration, and embedded distribution via Freebox TV; select series such as Di(e)ve and La Charge feature 3D audio production. Content is delivered through a self-serve, product-led growth motion with a free trial, a €3.99/month subscription, and up to 5 family profiles per account. Co-founded by Matthieu Viala and Virginie Maire, Sybel has scaled to 1M+ active users (per France 2 coverage) with an 11–50 person team and cumulative funding of approximately $5.8M from Mangrove Capital Partners and Techstars.
Sybel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sybel
- Legal name
- Audio Investissement
- Website
- https://sybel.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sybel is a Paris-based subscription audio platform offering unlimited access to 700+ podcasts, audiobooks, and original audio series in three languages, serving families and adult consumers via mobile, web, Alexa, and Freebox TV.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sybel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio Streaming / Podcast Subscription Service
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290), Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Podcast Distribution Directories & Listening Apps (MPACADAC), Audio Learning Content (Podcasts, Audiobooks, Listening Programs) (EDAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Sybel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sybel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Subscription Access: Monthly subscription model providing unlimited access to 700+ audio series across podcasts, stories, and audiobooks in multiple languages. Family plans support up to 5 profiles per account.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Unlimited audio content subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels3 records
Sybel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sybel operates a subscription-based audio streaming platform offering unlimited access to 700+ audio series spanning podcasts, original audio fiction, audiobooks, and documentaries, available in French, English, and Spanish. The service is delivered across mobile apps, web, connected speakers, and TV apps, and includes a dedicated children's offering (Sybel Kids) with parental controls and age-appropriate filtering. Original productions feature professional voice talent and select immersive 3D audio technology for premium series.
Product overview
Sybel is a subscription-based audio streaming platform that provides unlimited access to podcasts, audio stories, audiobooks, and original audio series. The platform operates as a unified product with two main sub-brands: the general Sybel Platform for all ages and Sybel Kids for children. Content is available across 700+ series and 15,000 episodes in 3 languages (French, English, Spanish). Sybel distributes its content through multiple platforms including native iOS/Android apps, web application, Amazon Alexa voice control, and Freebox TV. The pricing is €3.99/month for unlimited access with family support for up to 5 profiles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sybel Kids: A dedicated section for children's audio content featuring age-appropriate stories, audiobooks, and original productions. Includes content from Disney and original series designed for young listeners.
Products and services
- Sybel Audio Streaming Platform A subscription-based audio streaming platform offering unlimited access to podcasts, audio stories, audiobooks, and original audio series across 700+ series and 15,000 episodes in French, English, and Spanish. Distributed via iOS, Android, web, Amazon Alexa, and Freebox TV, with multi-profile family support (up to 5 profiles per account).
- Sybel Kids A dedicated children-focused section within Sybel offering age-appropriate audio content including Disney stories, fairy tales, and original children's series. Features parental controls and kid-safe profiles, with hundreds of audio stories designed to develop vocabulary and listening habits.
- Disney Audio Content on Sybel Disney-licensed audio adaptations available on the Sybel platform, including Le Roi Lion (The Lion King), Le Livre de la Jungle (The Jungle Book), Gravity Falls, and Monstres Academy (Monsters University), aimed at family and children's listening.
- The Blondes Audio Series An original Sybel fiction audio series produced in collaboration with Libra Films, part of Sybel's catalog of exclusive original audio content for adult listeners.
- Dominos Audio Series An original Sybel audio thriller series co-produced with Bad House (part of Mediawan Group), featuring Fred Testot in an AI/hacker-themed narrative.
- La Disparition de Stéphanie Mailer Audio Series An audio adaptation of Joël Dicker's thriller novel La Disparition de Stéphanie Mailer, produced for Sybel in collaboration with Showcast.
- Cléopâtre Audio Documentary A historical audio documentary on Cleopatra, part of Sybel's documentary series produced in collaboration with La Compagnie du Savoir.
- GAIA 2222 Audio Series An original science fiction audio series set aboard a spaceship in 2222, written and directed by PV Nova and produced for Sybel in collaboration with La Crèmerie.
Quantifiable outcome
- Children who listen to audio stories read 70% more than before
Companies that use Sybel
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sybel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability1 record
Feature2 records
Sybel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- DisneycoreDisney content licensing partnership bringing Le Roi Lion (The Lion King), Le Livre de la Jungle (The Jungle Book), Gravity Falls, and Monstres Academy (Monsters University) audio adaptations to the Sybel platform.
- Libra FilmscoreProduction partner for multiple original audio series including The Blondes, La Charge (The Charge), and Le Cristal Maya. Libra Films handles both original French productions and adaptation of international content.
- Bad House / MediawancoreCo-producer of Dominos audio series, an AI/hacker thriller featuring Fred Testot. Bad House is part of the Mediawan Group, a major French media company.
- TalemingmajorChildren's content production partner for series like L'Aventure de Noël and Les P'tites Aventures. Specializes in family-friendly audio stories.
- Binge AudiomajorCo-producer of Pas Si Différents, a teen romance series. Binge Audio is a major French podcast production company.
- Blackship / ShowcastmajorProduction partners for multiple series including Di(e)ve (3D horror), Sucré Salé (comedy), and La Disparition de Stéphanie Mailer (thriller based on Joël Dicker novel).
- NovelcastmajorExecutive production partner for Passion Commune, a historical romance set during the Paris Commune of 1871.
- Bloom ProdmajorCo-producer of La Tablette Magique, a time-travel adventure series for children.
- ResonarminorProduction partner for La Leçon, a series about cyberbullying and secret societies.
- La Compagnie du SavoirminorProduction partner for historical documentary series including Cléopâtre (Cleopatra).
- Gen-Z MediaminorInternational production partner for Le Cristal Maya, adapted from Gen-Z Media's original production about Mayan mythology.
- La CrémerieminorProduction partner for GAIA 2222, a science fiction series written and directed by PV Nova set aboard a spaceship in 2222.
- Q CodeminorProduction partner for La Charge (The Charge), a thriller starring Cynthia Erivo about a truck driver transporting mysterious cargo.
- FreeboxmajorDistribution partnership making Sybel available on Freebox TV platform, expanding reach to Freebox ISP customers in France.
- Amazon AlexamajorVoice assistant integration making Sybel accessible via Alexa-enabled devices, supporting screen-free listening use cases.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sybel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BookBeat: Bonnier-owned audiobook streaming subscription service operating across European markets. BookBeat is comparable to Sybel in its focus on paid audiobook streaming with family and multi-device access.
- Storytel: Subscription-based audiobook and e-book streaming service operating across multiple European markets including France. Storytel directly competes with Sybel on audiobook subscription, family/children content, and multi-language European expansion.
- Podimo: European podcast and audiobook subscription platform active in France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, and beyond. Podimo directly mirrors Sybel's combination of premium podcasts, audiobooks, and original audio content under a paid subscription model.
- Noiser: Original audio drama and documentary production company with a consumer subscription app. Noiser competes with Sybel's premium original audio fiction positioning, particularly for adult listeners.
- Majelan: French podcast subscription platform offering premium and original podcast content. Majelan is a direct French-market competitor to Sybel's adult podcast offering with similar paywall and original content strategy.
- Pocket Casts: Cross-platform podcast listening app offering paid tiers with enhanced discovery and listening features. Pocket Casts is comparable to Sybel on multi-platform podcast consumption UX, though without original audio fiction.
Broad incumbents
- Spotify: Global music and podcast streaming leader with aggressive expansion into audiobooks and exclusive podcast content. Spotify competes with Sybel on podcast listening, original audio content, and free-trial-driven subscriber acquisition.
- Audible: Amazon-owned audiobook and spoken-word streaming platform. Audible is the global category leader for paid audiobooks and a direct comparator for Sybel's audiobook and spoken-word catalog, though Audible operates at vastly greater scale and price point.
- Deezer: Paris-based music and podcast streaming service. Deezer is a French-headquartered audio incumbent directly competing with Sybel in the French podcast and audio content market, with stronger music but weaker original audio fiction.
Emerging players
- Castbox: AI-driven podcast and audiobook discovery platform with global distribution. Castbox competes with Sybel on multilingual podcast discovery and audiobook streaming, particularly in international markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sybel social profiles
Digital presenceSybel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sybel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Sybel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sybel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sybel
What does Sybel do?
Sybel operates a subscription-based audio streaming platform offering unlimited access to 700+ audio series spanning podcasts, original audio fiction, audiobooks, and documentaries, available in French, English, and Spanish. The service is delivered across mobile apps, web, connected speakers, and TV apps, and includes a dedicated children's offering (Sybel Kids) with parental controls and age-appropriate filtering. Original productions feature professional voice talent and select immersive 3D audio technology for premium series.
Is Sybel a public or private company?
Sybel is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sybel founded?
Sybel was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sybel based?
Sybel is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Sybel make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription Access.
Who are Sybel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BookBeat, Storytel, Podimo, Noiser, Majelan and Pocket Casts. Broad incumbents are Spotify, Audible and Deezer. Castbox is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sybel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sybel.
What industry is Sybel in?
Sybel's product category is Audio Streaming / Podcast Subscription Service. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAE, Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms, with a secondary code of MPACADAC, Podcast Distribution Directories & Listening Apps. Its NAICS code is 51621 and its SIC code is 7372.